Background:

In the US, public housing developments are typically located in lower socioeconomic status neighborhoods that may have poorer quality street level conditions, placing residents in neighborhoods that are less supportive for physical activity (PA). This study investigated the relationship of detailed, objectively assessed street-level pedestrian features with self-reported and measured PA in African American public housing residents.

Methods:

Every street segment (N = 2093) within an 800 m radius surrounding each housing development (N = 12) was systematically assessed using the Pedestrian Environment Data Scan (PEDS). Participants completed an interviewer administered International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form and wore a pedometer for 1 week.

Alseny Balde, Jaime Figueras, Dawn A. Hawking and John R. Miller

Lack of physical activity is an increasing public-health problem. Physicians should counsel elderly patients to maintain regular physical activity in order to retain functionality and quality of life. This study examined the patterns of physician advice about physical activity in an elderly population. A homogeneous group of older adults living in public housing (N = 146) was surveyed to determine the extent to which they received such advice. Their mean age was 77.9 ± 7 years, 74% were women, 70.5% were White, and 53.4% had high school education or less. We assessed the association between physician counseling practices and the participants’ demographic characteristics, overweight status, and type of physical activity performed. The prevalence rate of physician counseling was 61.6%. Elderly men who were married and those who were overweight were most likely to receive advice. Routine physician counseling of elderly patients regardless of overweight status could contribute to improving their quality of life.

Yen-Jong Chen, Rodney H. Matsuoka and Kun-Cheng Tsai

Mobility barriers can impede physical activity, increase the fear of falling, and pose a threat to the ability of older adults to live independently. This study investigated outdoor mobility barriers within a nonretirement public housing community located in Tainan, Taiwan. Site observations and interviews with older adult residents determined that parked motor scooters, potted plants, the rubber tiles of play areas, and a set of steps were the most important barriers. In addition, the space syntax parameters of control value and mean depth were effectively able to quantitatively measure improvements in walkability resulting from the hypothesized removal of these four barriers. These measures of improved walkability can be included in a cost-benefit analysis of spatial improvement factors to help policymakers address the mobility and accessibility needs of older adults.

Gregory W. Heath and John Bilderback

% are renter occupied. IV The median household income was estimated to be $15,245 (MoE ± $2544), V which is 34% of the median income for Hamilton County, TN. VI Within south Chattanooga, there exist 2 major publichousing developments, one a new urban neighborhood, the villages, and the other a more

Ka Man Leung and Pak-Kwong Chung

participants (71.9%) were aged 79 years or younger. Approximately 80% were females (79.7%), had primary education or no education (62.4%), and were retired (94.2%). The majority (56.4%) lived in publichousing or housing owned through the Hong Kong Home Ownership Scheme. The participants self-reported an

dorsiflexion strength. Methodology Older Caribbean Americans living in a publichousing facility in South Florida were recruited using posters and word of mouth for this prospective cohort pilot study. The study design and reporting adheres to the STROBE guidelines regarding observational studies. The sample

Tom Martinek and Michael A. Hemphill

some persistence. His search for finding a place to run his program eventually led him to publichousing communities—communities that were a large part of Chicago’s landscape. Children living in these communities, commonly known as housing projects, confront the danger of drug trafficking, violence